Beatport has announced plans for a web streaming service that can be embedded within other websites such as Facebook, Twitter, and other websites. Beatport joins such services as Pandora, Spotify and the latest, iTunes where the companies pay artists for each play from those listening around the globe. How much, and when artists should be paid has become the latest topic to divide the music industry as it seems that artists are vastly underpaid while the companies and labels make the real money.
It is unfortunate that there is such a divide when we as listeners and consumers want to see the artists we love compensated for the hard work and effort they put in. As said by Beatport creative executive Clark Warner,
“Supporting artists has been a core value at Beatport since day one, and that mission remains as we expand to serving fans with our new streaming service….Our embeddable streaming music player not only helps artists promote their music by making it available wherever their fans live online, but we are also taking the necessary steps to pay rightsholders for each listen so artists get paid.”
Hopefully Beatport sets the standards for paying artists what they are due based on the number of plays they receive through this new streaming service. Only time will tell.